Military

Further Reading

CHAPTER
IX

CHECKPOINTS

TOPIC:
Checkpoints

DISCUSSION:
Checkpoints
are often scenes of violence or have the threat of violence. Leaders must take
this into consideration when preparing personnel to man checkpoints. The rules
of engagement must be clear, but flexible, to accommodate rapid changes in
any situation that may develop. During Operation PROVIDE COMFORT in northern
Iraq, one type of checkpoint used was called a "flying checkpoint." Mobile
units, usually consisting of truck-mounted infantry, combat engineers, and
TOW vehicles overwatched by attack helicopters, would move forward to key intersections
in areas where armed Iraqi or guerrilla fighters were known to operate and
would set up hasty roadblocks to disrupt unauthorized or unwanted military
activity. This mission always required designating soldiers to detain and search
intruders, a sizeable element to overwatch the checkpoint, air cover on station,
mobile mortar support, and a quick reinforcement force of TOW and infantry
carriers that could extract or reinforce the flying checkpoint.

LESSON(S):

Be
imaginative while operating in an operation other than war; develop tactics,
techniques, and procedures (TTP) that can be applied to anticipated situations.

Ensure
that checkpoints are designed so that only the minimum number of soldiers are
exposed at any given time and that they are overwatched by automatic weapons
when they are exposed.

Make
reinforcement and counterattack plans and rehearse them.

Develop
situational exercises to train soldiers on how to conduct checkpoint procedures.
Included below are a few examples of these situational exercises:

DISCUSSION:
UN
forces usually encounter belligerent checkpoints during both peacekeeping and
peace enforcement operations. These checkpoints vary from squad size to reinforced
company size. The purpose of these checkpoints are:

To
deny freedom of movement to UN forces.

To
acquire food, fuel, and other items by requiring convoys to pay a toll.

To
prevent the distribution of UN relief supplies to civilians.

To
prevent intervention of UN forces during belligerent combat operations.

To
prevent UN observation of violations to peace agreements.

The
construction ranges from a simple log across the road to heavily fortified
positions reinforced with obstacles. Some have a simple gate manned by a few
local soldiers. Others will have obstacles in the roadway to prevent vehicle
traffic. Obstacles, such as mines, wire, and beam obstacles, may be used to
hinder or stop vehicle movement. Checkpoints will be located at natural chokepoints
such as in ravines or on top of hills. This allows the natural terrain (winding
mountain roads or rivers and streams) to channelize and limit vehicle movement.
It also eliminates any bypass around the checkpoint. Belligerents usually lay
mines along the sides of the road leading to the checkpoint. This limits vehicle
movement and allows the belligerents to trap the convoys in a kill zone if
they try to run through the checkpoint. Any vehicle that moves off of the road
will be destroyed. The checkpoints may also be overwatched by heavy antitank
weapons and artillery.

LESSON(S):

Don't
give food or supplies to belligerents as payment of tolls. This sets a precedent
that UN forces can be manipulated and will not force their way through checkpoints.

The
convoy commander should travel with the main body. The convoy commander must
be able to move up with the advance guard if required to negotiate with belligerents.

The
commander must be firm but cautious when dealing with belligerents. Insist
on the right of passage.

The
commander must ensure he has adequate firepower available should it be necessary
to force his way through a checkpoint. Remember, the lead vehicles at the checkpoint
location will most likely be inside of a kill zone.

Commanders
must properly assess the situation and stop or withdraw when the checkpoint
strength exceeds his capability to overcome it. Also, the commander must stop
or withdraw his unit when persistence would lead to a fight which exceeds the
mandate of the force.

TOPIC:
Checkpoint
Tactics

DISCUSSION:
A
high volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic can be expected to pass through
a checkpoint. The normal congestion at checkpoints can be compounded by undisciplined
driving habits of local people and by a shortage of soldiers able to speak
the local language. Combatants usually develop techniques and ruses to get
weapons and explosives through checkpoints.

LESSON(S):

Expect
the unexpected at checkpoints.

Develop
and rehearse drills to prepare soldiers for all possible situations at checkpoints.

Some
belligerent techniques and suggested responses are:

Action:
Place
guns or explosives in vehicle fuel tanks or inside of component parts of vehicles.

Counter-Action:
Rehearse
vehicle search techniques. Develop a checklist for soldiers to use and obtain
the proper equipment to conduct a search of vehicles large mirrors to inspect
the undercarriage of vehicles, bolt cutters to cut locks) Don't rush the search
just because traffic backs up.

Action:
Weapons,
explosives, and combatants can be concealed in hearses and ambulances instead
of bodies or wounded civilians.

Counter-Action:
Treat
these vehicles with respect, but develop drills for searching vehicles or verifying
wounds.

Action:
Create
a diversion to sneak or rush through a checkpoint. Commonly used techniques
are: a sniper attack; an ambulance arriving at the checkpoint with sirens blaring;
staging fights or riots near the checkpoint; and staging a vehicle accident
or starting a fire.

Counter-Action:
Develop
drills and techniques to rapidly emplace barricades to stop both vehicle and
pedestrian traffic. Establish signals or code words to initiate closure operations.
Use a quick-reaction team at each roadblock to handle unexpected situations
so checkpoint personnel do not have to leave their post.

Action:
Using
females to smuggle weapons and explosives.

Counter-Action:
Develop
techniques to search females. Male soldiers should not physically touch females.
Use female soldiers to search female civilians. Use metal detectors or mine
detectors to scan individuals for weapons. The detectors may not detect explosives.

TOPIC:
UN
Checkpoint Guidelines

DISCUSSION:
The
UN has specific guidelines for the conduct of peacekeeping soldiers at checkpoints.
The following "DOs" and "DON'Ts" can assist in training soldiers for checkpoint
duty.

LESSON(S):

DO

Smile
when approaching a vehicle and talking to the driver.

Speak
to the driver and let him speak to the passengers.

Ask
the driver politely to do what you want him to do.

Speak
naturally and no louder than needed.

When
searching a person, be courteous. Use scanners and metal detectors whenever
possible.

Whatever
happens at the checkpoint, stay calm, and make a special effort to be polite,
regardless of your feelings.

Always
maintain a high standard of dress and military bearing.

DON'T

Do
not be disrespectful or give any hint of dislike.

Do
not put your head or arm in through the side window or open the door without
permission.

Do
not shout or show impatience.

Do
not frisk women or tell them to put their hands up. Do not point a weapon directly
at a woman unless essential for security reasons.

Do
not become involved in a heated argument. Do not use force unless force is
used against you and then use only the minimum necessary.

Do
not hesitate to call your checkpoint commander whenever the need arises.

Do
not become careless or sloppy in appearance. If you look smart and professional,
people are more likely to accept your authority and be willing to cooperate.

TOPIC:
Vehicle
Search Rates

DISCUSSION:
Soldiers
will be required to conduct vehicle searches during peacekeeping and peace
enforcement operations. The degree of search will be determined by the ROE
and the potential threat.

LESSON(S):
There
are six search patterns that a unit can use.

Ensure
proper roadblock procedures are established. Military police forces are well
trained in the operation of roadblocks.

Ensure
the area is highly visible, and that it is a defendable position with an armed
overwatch area 25-30 meters beyond the checkpoint.

Display
bilingual warning signs.

The
layout should resemble an obstacle course requiring extensive maneuvering.
Consideration should be given to a layout which will accommodate large and
small vehicles.

Also
consider convenience for the UN military traffic that will transverse the same
area.